The man accused of murdering gangland figure Kevin ‘Gerbil’ Carroll in the car park of a Glasgow supermarket, Ross Monaghan, has been acquitted due to insufficient evidence.

Ross Monaghan walked free from court in Glasgow after being cleared of the murder of gangland figure Kevin ‘Gerbil’ Carroll (Picture: PA)

Mr Monaghan, 30, had denied shooting 29-year-old Carroll outside the Asda superstore in the Glasgow suburb of Robroyston in January 2010.

He was also acquitted of attempting to dispose of the two guns used in the crime and setting the getaway car alight in a bid to cover up the evidence.

Mr Monaghan had been cleared of the crime at the High Court in Glasgow on Thursday, but the verdict had been put on hold after the Crown declared its intentions to appeal the decision.

However, the father of one – whose partner Jade McLaughlan gave birth to their daughter while he was on remand awaiting trial – walked free on Friday after the intention to appeal was formally withdrawn.

Kevin ‘Gerbil’ Carroll was killed in January 2010 in the car park in Robroyston, Glasgow (Picture: PA)

Mr Monaghan said that the case had been a ‘nightmare’ and added: ‘I’m glad to get this over.

‘I always said it was nothing to do with me.’

He was acquitted due to lack of evidence linking him with the shooting, apart from a tenth of a billionth of a gram of his DNA which was found on one of the two guns used in the crime.

However, the DNA of a lab technician working at the storage facility where the gun was held was also found on the weapon – even though he had no contact with it.

Defending Mr Monaghan, QC Derek Ogg said the incident showed how ‘mobile’ DNA could be and added: ‘There is nothing that links the crime with Ross Monaghan.

‘No-one sees him and no-one sees anyone like him. Nothing links him to Asda. There isn’t a shred of evidence.’

Forensic experts also admitted they were unable to admit how the DNA had made it on to the handle of the gun.

The trial heard that Mr Monaghan was at his home over 20 miles away at the time he was alleged to be disposing of the guns and getaway vehicle.

The case is one of the first to fall under new legislation which gives the Crown the right to appeal a verdict.

Had they decided to go ahead, the case would have faced a panel of three judges at a hearing in Edinburgh.